Africa ~ Namibia

The Namibia Horse Safari Company is owned by Sarah Jane Gullick, one of the pioneers of horse safaris in Southern Africa. After running very successful horse safari operations in South Africa and Botswana’s Okavango Delta for many years, Sarah Jane’s new focus is Namibia where she is expanding and developing the amazing desert safaris run for many years by Waldi Fritzsche’s, Reit Safaris. The challenging Namib Desert Ride, a 400km journey across the world’s oldest desert, has become renown as one of the toughest riding trips one can do. A modern day adventure, a chance to escape the hum-drum of everyday life and to get back to basics, completing this ride will give you an incredible sense of achievement. For those not so sure they will relish such a challenge, there are several other ride itineraries, each providing a remarkable opportunity to explore Namibia’s stark, immense and contrasting desert landscapes. Telané Greyling who has worked in Namibia for several years and is an internationally recognised authority on the Wild Horses of the Namib Desert, with an extraordinary knowledge of the southern part of Namibia, continues as a guide for many safaris and ‘old timer’ Frederick Links and his crew provide further guiding and logistical support.

Three different ride itineraries are offered from set dates between April and October. Tailor-made rides for groups, with different accommodation options and dates to suit, can also be organised on request.

Summary

Horses and Riding

Riding: 5-9 hours a day

  Horses: Arab, Hanoverian and Boerped crosses  

Pace: moderate to fast with plenty of long canters in open country  

Riding ability: fit, confident, intermediate to experienced riders

Weight limit: 92kg (14st 7lbs) but riders over 85kg (13 st 5lbs) will be charged a supplement for an additional horse

 Accommodation: 3 camping, some lodges

Group size: maximum 15

For Namibia testimonials click here

The horses are mainly crossbreeds that include Arab, Hanoverian, Haflinger and South African Boerped crosses. There are also a few crosses of the rare “wild desert horses” of the Namib Desert. They are small to medium sized, between about 14hh and 16hh, sure-footed, athletic and responsive to ride. Maclellan style saddles are used, most horses are ridden in snaffles and riders are expected to groom and tack up their own horse.

 Hours: There is generally 5 to 7 hours riding a day, with breaks for rests and lunch (NB some longer days on the Namib Desert Ride).

  Pace and experience required: To take part in these rides you should be confident, comfortable and in control on a horse at all paces (including long fast trots and canters) when riding with a group over varied, sometimes tricky, terrain. You will need a good level of general fitness. The riding pace depends very much on the day’s terrain and temperatures but you can expect chances for long canters on most days and when riding on the desert flats the pace is energetic with plenty of opportunities for long canters.

Accommodation varies with the ride itinerary but all include some camping using simple dome tents with camp beds. Camps are set up for you, moved ahead of you by the back up team / vehicle. There is limited water when in the desert but showers are usually possible. Meals are cooked by the back up team and eaten around the campfire. Other nights are spent in safari lodges / semi permanent camps. Rooms at lodges usually have en-suite bathrooms and are clean and comfortable. Permanent camps have walk in African style tents, proper beds and shared shower blocks. Dinner and breakfast are included at lodges / fixed camps.

Rates 2012

Damaraland Elephant Ride (10 nights) - £ 3500
single supplement £ 150

Great Fish River Canyon Ride (10 nights) - £ 3600
single supplement £ 200

Namib Desert Ride (10 nights) - £ 3250
single supplement £ 150

This rate INCLUDES all riding, twin accommodation, all meals (lunch on the first day to breakfast on the last), some drinks, guides, back up team, equipment and road transfers as described.

The rate EXCLUDES international flights to Windhoek / Capetown, personal medical / travel insurance (which you must have), any visa fees, personal extras at lodges such as telephone calls and tips

Single rooms can normally be arranged if requested, though a single supplement is charged - single supplements are not charged if you are prepared to share a room with another guest.

Damaraland Elephant Ride
2nd to 12th May
17th to 27th May
28th June to 8th July

Great Fish River Canyon Ride
14th to 24th April
30th August to 9th September

  Namib Desert Ride 
30th March to 9th April
6th to 16th June
1st to 11th August
19th to 29th September

Other private group rides and tailormade itineraries arranged on request

Season

April to October

The meeting point for all rides is Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. Air Namibia fly from London to Windhoek overnight (via Frankfurt) or there are also options via Johannesburg and Cape Town. For flights from London to Windhoek budget for around £700 to £850 economy return (varies with season, carrier and availability).

For the Great Fish River Canyon Rides departure is from Capetown in South Africa (meeting can also be arranged in Cape Town for groups). British Airways and South African Airways have direct overnight flights to Capetown from around £600 (varies with season).

Itinerary in Brief - Damaraland Elephant Ride (please enquire for other itineraries)

Day 1	Meet in Windhoek. Dinner and night at a guesthouse in Windhoek.
Day 2	Breakfast and set off driving, about 7 hours, stopping for lunch en-route to camp near Twyfelfontein, world heritage site. Meet the horses and time permitting a sunset ride. Night in camp.
Day 3	Breakfast and a morning ride from Aba Huab across the plains. In the afternoon visit a cultural village and the Twyfelfontein rock engravings before dinner and night in camp.
Day 4	Set off riding west across endless plains. A picnic lunch then continue over sandy hills to De Riet. There may be signs of desert elephant and encounters are possible. Night in camp
Day 5	Continue along the Huab River across a wide plain, stopping for lunch at 'cheetah tree'. The afternoon ride is long and through fascinating scenery. Dinner and night at View Point camp.
Day 6	Breakfast and ride southwest towards the Ugab River. Lunch at Lion mouth and then a long canter to the mouth of a narrow canyon. Continue through spectacular country to Save the Rhino Camp. Dinner and night in camp.
Day 7	There are alternative routes today depending on game movement and water levels in the rivers. Perhaps ride through reeds and bush thickets to places frequented by elephant. Then head up the gorge to camp.
Day 8	Leave the Ugab tributary and set off across a vast open plain with some long canters before lunch at the Quarry. Continue across stony plains west towards the coast. Night in camp
Day 9	Set off riding to the Messum River and Crater. Plenty of chances to move on again today. Night in camp
Day 10	Tha last ride takes you to the beach, arriving at the Skeleton Coast around lunchtime. Again lots of exhilarating canters and spectacular views. Overnight at a beach house in Henties Bay.
Day 11	After breakfast transfer to about 5-6 hours by bus to Windhoek. Own arrangements for onward travel.
	Contact us on 01837-82544 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and if you have any questions.